Umbrella.



No. 6e7,|5s. Patented 1an. 29, |901. JJ H.--SHAN.K.

UMBRELLA.

(Application tiled Mar. 22, 1900.) (un nodal.)

I Ina/Venier:

Error..

JOSEPH H. SHANK, OF GREENFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK FREE, OF SAME PLACE.

UMBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,156, dated January 29, 1901.

Application led March 22, 1900. Serial No. 9,783. (N0 modi-)1J To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, JOSEPH H. SHANK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenfield, in the county of Highland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to umbrellas or parasols; and the object of theinvention is to provide an improved umbrella or parasol of the character set forth wherein a rib may be readily removed from the umbrella or parasol and a new rib may readily be inserted.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a portion of an umbrella embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View, the ribs, notch, and runner being shown in a different position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same, the runner being in cross-section. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the notch. Fig. 5 is a bottom or end view of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing abroken portion of the stick in crosssection. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the ball at the inner end of a rib and also a portion of the rib in perspective.

Similar reference-iigures designate similar parts in the diierent views.

The numeral 1 represents the stick of the umbrella, which is preferably tubular, as shown. Stick 1 is provided with springcatches 2 and 3 to hold the notch 4 and runner 5 in position. Said notch and runner hold the ends of ribs 6 and braces or stretchers 7, as hereinafter described. Only two ribs are shown, but as many may be used as required, as will be readily understood. Immediately over notch 4 is a bell-shaped cap or hood 8, secured upon stick l. 'Ihe tip 9 closes the upper end of stick 1. A transverse pin 10 is secured in stick 1 just beneath cap 8. Notch 4 has a transverse slot 11 to receive pin l0. This pin engages notch 11 and thus prevents the notch from rotating upon the stick.

Notch 4 is tubular and has an annular swell or enlargement 17 at its lower end, with an internal annular groove or recess 12. Slots 13 communicate with groove or recess 12, thus forming curved fingers or hooks 14 between the slots. The inner end of each rib 6 is provided with a ball 15, which is preferably integral with the rib. The ball rests in groove or recess l2, and the rib extends through the slot 18. The fingers or hooks 14 turn in so as almost to touch the stick of the umbrella, so that the ball cannot escape. The portion 6' of the rib adjacent to ball 15 is preferably rectangular, as shown in Fig. 7, being higher than broad, so that it will lit snugly in slot 13 and cannot turn or rotate therein. Notch 4 is held up by springcatch 2. One of the fingers or hooks 14 has a slot 14' for catch 2 to rest in, thus holding the notch against rotation on stick 1. Instead of the annular recess 12 a separate recess may be provided in some cases at the inner side of enlargement 17, opposite each slot 13, to hold a ball-ended rib, as will be readily understood.

The runneris quite si milar in construction to notch 4. It is tubular and has a swell or enlargement 17' at its upper end, with an internal annular groove or recess 12' Slots 13' communicate with groove or recess 12', thus forming curved fingers or hooks between the slots. The inner end of each brace or stretcher 7 is provided with a ball 15', which is preferably integral with the brace. The ball rests in groove or recess 12', and the brace extends through slot 13'. The lingers or hooks 14" turn in so as almost to touch the stick of the umbrella, so that the ball cannot escape. The portion of the brace or stretcher adjacent to ball 15' is preferably rectangular, like the portion of the rib shown in Fig. 7. Runner 5 is held in its elevated position by springcatch 3. The top View of runner 5 is the same as the bottom View of notch 4, (shown in Fig. 5,) except that the slot 14' is 'not used in runner 5. Instead of the annular recess 12' a separate recess may be provided in some cases at the inner side of enlargement 17', opposite each slot 13', to hold a ball-ended stretcher,as will be readily understood.

Stick 1 has a hole or depression 18 at one side. When a rib is to be detached from the umbrella, runner 5 is brought up to the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the groove or recess 12 registers with hole or depression 18. The ball 15 is inserted in hole 18, as shown. The runner 5 is then lowered. The ball re- IOO mains in hole 18, and the lingers or hooks 14 clear the narrow part of the brace, one on either side. The ball is then removed from hole 18, and brace '7 is free, as shown in Fig. 2. Notch 4 is then lowered by depressing spring-catch 2 to the position shown in Fig. 2, so that groove or recess 12 registers with hole or depression 18. The ball 15 is inserted in hole 18. The notch 11 is then elevated. The ball remains in hole 18, and the fingers or hooks 14 clear the narrow part of the rib, as indicated in Fig. 7. The ball is then removed from hole 18, and the rib 6, together with its brace or stretcher '7, is entirely detached from the umbrella. If another rib is to be removed, the notch is lowered and rotated upon stick 1 until the end of the desired rib comes opposite hole or depression 18. Runner rotates upon the stick in unison with the notch.

In order to insert a new rib, the procedure is in the reverse order of that described above-that is, the ball 15 is first inserted in hole 18. The notch 4 is then brought to the position shown in Fig. 2, so that groove or recess 12 registers with hole 18. Two of the fingers or hooks 14 will straddle the narrow or flattened part of the rib. The ball is then withdrawn from hole 18 into groove or recess 12. The notch i is then elevated, so as to be held in position by pin and spring-catch 2. The ball 15, at the inner end of the brace 3, is inserted into groove or recess 12' in a similar manner, as will be readily understood.

With this construction one or more ribs may be quickly and easily removed if broken or for any other cause, and a new rib or ribs may be inserted without injuring or defacing the umbrella and without the use of tools. It will be observed that when notch 4 is lowered it may be rotated upon stick 1, so as to bring any rib into alinement with hole 18. A screw 16 normally closes hole 18, the sides of the latter being threaded to receive the screw. This screw keeps out waterand dirt and also strengthens stick 1 and serves as a stop for runner 5.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination herein described in an umbrella,of the stick, notch, runner and ballended ribs and stretchers, said notch and runner each being provided with a series of radial slots and each having an interior recess for containing the ball-ended ribs and stretchers, respectively, means for removahlyholdiug the notch and runner in normal engagement with the stick, said stick being provided with a depression between the notch and runner, whereby either the notch or ruuner is adapted to he brought opposite said depression and a ball-ended rib or stretcher then removed from or inserted in the said notch or runner, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aihx my signature hereto in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH H. SHANK.

Witnesses:

M. IRWIN DUNLOP, L. M. SHOEMAKER. 

